Jack and tongue construction for harpsichords and the like



July 8, 1969 w, O'BRIEN 3,453,922

JACK AND TONGUE CONSTRUCTION FOR HARPSICHORDS AND THE LIKE Filed April5, 1967 Sheet of 2 l was TH FT 26 I :[EHI 1 -40 Pig-4o :l j I I xINVENTOR. WALTER FT O'BRIEN BY v ATTORNEYS.

W. F. OBRIEN July 8, 1969 JACK AND TONGUE CONSTRUCTION FOR HARPSICHORDSAND THE LIKE Z of 2 Sheet Filed April 5 1967 FIG.4

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United States Patent 3,453,922 JACK AND TONGUE CONSTRUCTION FORHARPSICHORDS AND THE LIKE Walter F. OBrien, Garfield Heights, Ohio,assignor of fifty percent to Philip M. Cucchiara, Cleveland, (110 FiledApr. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 627,992

Int. Cl. Gc 1/06 U.S. Cl. 84-258 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aharpsichord wherein each plucking means thereof is comprised of a jackcontrolled by an associated key and a plectrum carrying tongue pivotallymounted to the vertically upper end of the jack. The pivotal mounting ofthe tongue is such as to cause the plectrum to are away from itsassociated string after plucking it so that as the jack drops verticallyfollowing the plucking action the plectrum will not restrike the string.Means are present to reposition the tongue for plucking action by theplectrum.

The present invention relates to string musical instruments wherein thestrings are played by a plucking action. The harpsichord is the bestknown instrument of this type.

In a harpsichord and similar instruments, it is conventional to have theplucking action of the strings controlled by keys very similar to thosein a piano. The keys are pivotally mounted to the frame of theharpsichord and each key controls an individual jack associatedtherewith for plucking the string of the instrument in order to producethe desired sound. The jacks are movable vertically by the key actionand each jack has a little plucking finger, known as a plectrum,provided on the vertically upper end theerof, which plectrum plucks thestring as the jack is raised vertically by its controlling key.

Heretofore it has been very difficult to insure that proper pluckingaction of the string can continuously be achieved due to the fact thatthere is appreciable lateral shifting of the strings due to temperatureor humidity changes. Also, movement of a series of jacks laterally totake a register out of play may result in improper repositioning of oneor more jacks. As a result, the strings may be closer or farther awayfrom the individual plectra that are to pluck them than is desirable sothat the plectra either pluck too strongly, too weakly, or not at all.Also, the plectrum sometimes catches on the strings with a jackremaining suspended and inoperative until corrected by manualadjustment. Usually the plectrum strikes the string a second time as thejack drops back into position after being vertically raised by the keyto achieve a first plucking action. Such a second striking causesappreciable undesirable sound which interferes with the overall musicalsound quality of the instrument.

It is the general object of the present invention to overcome theabove-mentioned difiiculties in the prior art by providing a plectrumcarrying tongue which is pivotally mounted to the vertically upper endof the jack. The pivotal mounting of the tongue causes the plectrum t0pivotally retract away from the string after a plucking action. Meansare provided to hold the plectrum in its retracted position after theplucking action so that the plectrum will easily clear the string as thejack drops following the plucking action. Spring means associated withthe tongue are provided to return the tongue to its proper position forthe next plucking action.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a buffer meansassociated with the plectrum, which buffer 3,453,922 Patented July 8,1969 means is adapted to be brought into engagement with the stringafter the jack has fallen to its lowest position whereby the string,jack and plectrum are positioned in desirable operative relation.

For a better understanding of the apparatus of the invention, referenceshould be had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially shown invertical section, of a key and plucking means associated therewith for astring musical instrument, such as a harpsichord, the means showncomprising a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary end elevation of the embodiment illustrated inFIGURE 1;

FIGURES 3 and 4 are both fragmentary side elevational views, partiallyshown in vertical section, of the embodiment of the invention utilizedto achieve the selfsustaining feature of the harpsichord;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation of a plectrum carrying tongue which can beutilized in the improved harpsichord of the invention wherein theplectrum and buffer are an integral unit; and

FIGURES 6 and 7, respectively, are a side and end elevation, of anothervariation of a plectrum carrying tongue wherein the buffer associatedwith the plectrum is adjustable.

N-ow referring to the drawings in greater detail, and with particularreference to FIGURES l and 2, a stringed musical instrument of theplucking type, such as a harpsichord, is indicated as a whole by thenumeral 10. For purposes of clarity, only one key 12 and its associatedmembers is shown, but it should be understood that several keys areprovided in the harpsichord and that the principles of the inventionshown are readily applicable to any and all of such keys on one or morekeyboards, as desired.

The key 12 is pivotally balanced on a balance rail 16 which rests on andis secured to the key bed (not shown). A felt washer 14 is positionedbetween the balance rail 16 and the key 12 to cushion the key and toallow noiseless pivotal movement thereof. The key 12 receives apositioning pin 18 extending from the balance rail and engaging a slotin the key for pivotally mounting the key 12 to the frame 14. The key 12is played by depressing the front or exposed end thereof in aconventional manner. The harpsichord includes any suitable number ofplaying strings 20 positioned in a conventional manner on supportsprovided in the frame 16. The strings 20 are usually horizontallypositioned and are relatively closely spaced from each other in ahorizontal plane. The string 20 usually is made from wire and is adaptedto be plucked by use of a jack 22. The jack 22 is substantiallyrectangular in shape and is adapted to be raised in order to achieveplucking of the string 20 by depressing the front end of the key 12. Inorder to achieve the actual plucking of the string 20 as the jack 22 isvertically raised, a tongue 24 is pivotally mounted to the bifurcatedupper end of the jack 22. A pin 26 is received by the bifurcated legs ofthe jack 22 and such pin 26 forms the pivotal mounting for the tongue24. A plectrum 28 is mounted to and extends from the tongue 24 and it isthe plectrum 28 which achieves the plucking action of the string 20 asthe jack 22 is vertically raised by its controlling key 12.

The jack 22 has a jack rail 30 positioned thereabove, and a suitablelayer of cushioning material 32 is provided on the under surface of thejack rail above the bifurcated end of the jack 22 in order to limit orcontrol vertical upward movement on the jack. A pair of jack guides 34and 36 are provided also to position the jack and such jack guides areslotted in order to receive the jack 22 and position it for controlledvertical upward or downward movement only.

It is a particular feature of the present invention to provide a leaf orwire spring 38 associated with the tongue 24, which spring normallyurges the tongue 24 to a substantially vertically upright position, asis illustrated by FIGURE 2. One end of the spring 38 is suitablyconnected to the tongue 24 and the free lower end of the spring usuallyis curved upwardly and laterally offset from the tongue to bias againstthe jack guide 34 when the jack 22 is in its lowest position in order tomove the pivotally mounted tongue 24 to a vertically upright position.When the tongue 24 is substantially vertically upright, the plectrum 28is in proper position to pluck the string 20' as the jack 22 is raised.

As a result of the spring 38 properly positioning the tongue 24, as thekey 12 is depressed to raise the jack 22 vertically, the plectrum 28plucks the string 20. As the jack 22 is vertically raised, however, thefree end of the spring 38 raises off of the jack guide 34 to relieve thespring pressure directed against the tongue 24. Accordingly, as theplectrum strikes the string 20, the tongue 24 is free to pivot away fromthe string 20 following the plucking action. This occurs since the forceof the plectrum plucking the string creates an equal and opposite forcecausing the plectrum to pivotally retract from the string after itplucks the string.

In order to keep the plectrum 28 pivotally retracted away from thestring 20 so that it will clear the string 20 as the jack 22 drops backinto its lowest position, an adjusting screw 40, threadably received inthe lower end of the tongue 24 is provided. The adjusting screw 40 isadapted to engage with a bushing 42 which is received in the tongue andsurrounds the pivot pin 26. Such bushing usually is made from a softdeformable material such as felt. The combination of the adjusting screw40 and the bushing 42 allows the adjusting screw to be rotated inwardlyto selectively compress the bushing 42 about the pivot pin 26 in orderto control the pivotal action of the tongue 24. Use of the bushing 42causes the tongue 24 to remain in a retracted or slightly slantedposition after the plucking of the string 20 so that as the jack 22drops,

vthe plectrum 28 drops past the string 20 without restriking it therebyeliminating the undesirable sound mentioned hereinbefore.

As the plectrum 28 drops past the string 20, the free end of the spring38 reengages the jack guide 34 to bias the tongue 24 back into avertically upright position. As a further feature of the invention, abuffer member 44 is mounted on the plectrum 28 and extends upwardlytherefrom but leaves a predetermined length of the plucking tip of theplectrum exposed. The buffer may be made from any suitable material suchas buckskin, sponge, foam rubber, or plastic. As the spring 38 biasesthe tongue forwardly, the buffer is moved towards the string until thestring is at the forward connection of the buffer to the plectrum andthe string and plectrum are in ideal plucking relation. It becomesapparent with the type of plectrum positioning action described thatlateral shifting of the string 20 will not cause the plectrum 24 toengage or pluck the string 20 too strongly or weakly on any subsequentplucking action because use of the spring 38 and the buffer 44 insuresthe same amount of plectrum engagement of the string at all times. Thebuffer 44 can be mounted on the plectrum 28 in any suitable manner as bycement or adhesive. Such member could, for example, be made from aplastic substance.

FIGURES 3 and 4 refer to a slight variation of the embodimentillustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 wherein a self-sustaining feature isadded to the harpsichord of the invention. In this modification, as thefront of the key 12a is depressed, the rear portion of the key is raisedin like manner to the key 12 of FIGURES 1 and 2. Mounted to the rearportion of the key 12a is an upwardly and rearwardly extending leafspring 50 which is secured at one end to the key 12a and is operablyassociated with a vertically movable control rod or rod member 52slidably received by suitable receiving slots provided in the jackguides 34a and 36a. The vertically lower end of the control rod 52 isadapted to be engaged by the leaf spring 50 whereby depressing the key12a causes the leaf spring 50 to vertically raise control rod 52.

The other or upper end of the control rod 52 is adapted to operativelyengage with a suitable spring 38a, usually a wire, whereby, as inFIGURES 1 and 2, a pivotally mounted tongue member 24a is brought to asubstantially vertically upright position as the control rod 52 israised.

Due to the fact that the clearance between the leaf spring 50- and thelower end of the control rod 52 is substantially less in distance thanthe clearance between the key 12a and jack 22a, depressing the key 12aat the front end thereof causes the control rod 52 to be verticallyraised before the rear of the key lever 12a will strike the jack 22a tocause the jack 22a to also be vertically raised. As a result, when thekey 12a is depressed or played, the control rod 52 is raised to effectmovement of the tongue 24a and its plectrum 28a to an operative positionbefore any vertical upward movement of the jack 22a is effected. Abuffer 44a on the plectrum 28a insures proper plucking action on thestring 20a, as the jack 22a is vertically raised.

The plucking action of the string 20a by the plectrum 28a causes thetongue 24a to swing or pivot away from the string 20a and such pivotalaction of the tongue 24a is not impeded because an adjustable sleevemember 54 is provided on the control rod 52, which sleeve member 54strikes the jack guide 36a to limit the vertical upward movement of thecontrol rod 52. An adjusting screw 40a and a bushing 42a similar to theadjusting screw 40 and bushing 42 of FIGURES l and 2 are associated withthe tongue 24a in order to keep the tongue in a retracted or slantedposition after such tongue pivots away from the string 20a following theplucking action.

As the jack 22a is allowed to drop following the plucking action of thestring 20a, the tongue 24a also drops but since the plectrum 20a is heldin a pivotally retracted position, it will clear the string 20:: on itsdownward drop without restriking it. Additionally, even as the jack 22afalls to its lowest position, the free end of the leaf spring 38a stilldoes not contact the upper end of the control rod 52 and the soundproduced by the vibrating string 20a will be sustained. In order todampen such sustaining sound of the string 20a, any conventionaldampening means and controls are provided in the instrument.

An adjustable sleeve 56 is suitably carried on the jack 22a in order tolimit the downward movement of the jack 22a after the plucking action toinsure that proper clearance will remain between the key 12a and thelower end of the jack 22a.

FIGURE 5 illustrates a slight modification of the tongue, plectrum andbuffer combination which can be utilized in the harpsichord of theinvention wherein the Electrum and buffer are formed from a one-piecemember FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate another modification wherein thebuffer 44b is adjustably mounted to the tongue 2412, as by screws 62which secure the top end of the buffer 44b to the tongue 24b. The buffer44b may be made from a thin spring metal sheet. A second adjusting screw64 threadably received in the tongue 24b is provided, which screw can beselectively rotated to control the position of the free or bottom end ofthe buffer whereby the buffer can be properly positioned in relation tothe string 20b. In this embodiment, the plectrum 28b extends through aslot 66 in the face of the butter 44b in order to be in proper positionto pluck the string 2% as the tongue 24b is raised by its associatedjack. The tongue 24b has its position controlled as in the otherembodiments of the invention.

It is seen from the foregoing that the tongues are urged forwardlytowards an associated wire before the jack carrying the tongue isactuated for string plucking action. The buffers carried by orassociated with the plectrum hence engage the associated string andinsure ideal plucking relationship therebetween so that novel means andcontrols are present to compensate automatically for any out of positionrelationship between a string and its plectrum.

While a certain representative embodiment and details have been shownfor the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent tothose skilled in this art various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a musical instrument having a frame, a plurality of stringssecured to the frame, a plurality of pivotally positioned keys, and aplurality of plucking means individually operably associated with theindividual strings and controlled by the keys, each plucking meansincluding a vertically movable jack, the jacks being aligned anddefining a vertical plane, the improvement comprising a tongue memberpivotally mounted to the vertically upper end of each jack,

a plectrum mounted on said tongue member and adapted to pluck the stringassociated therewith as the jack is moved vertically upwardly by itscontrolling key, said tongue pivotally retracting to a slanted positionaway from the string after the plucking action, and

means operably associated with said tongue and including a spring havingits upper end attached to said tongue and having a dependent free lowerend which can be engaged by a member for urging said tongue back to asubstantially vertically upright position after the jack drops after theplucking action.

2. The combination according to claim 1 and including means holding saidplectrum in a slanted position to clear the string as the jack dropsvertically downwardly after the plucking action.

3. The combination according to claim 1 and including buffer meansoperatively associated with said plectrum adapted to be brought intoengagement with the string when said means associated with said tonguereturn the tongue to a substantially vertically upright position.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said spring has itslower end normally biased against a frame portion to urge the tongueinto an upright position but wherein vertical upward movement of thejack moves the free end of the spring out of engagement with said frameportion to allow free pivotal movement of the tongue.

5. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the vertically upper endof the jack has a bifurcated end, the legs of the bifurcation receivinga pin forming the pivotal mounting of the tongue.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein the means holding saidplectrum in a slanted position after the plectrum pivotally retractsaway from the string following the plucking action include bushing meansreceived by said tongue and surrounding said pin, and

adjustable screw means threadably received by said tongue and engageablewith said bushing whereby rotation of said adjusting screw means effectsselective compression of said bushing means about said pin to controlthe pivotal action of said tongue.

7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means urging saidtongue back to a vertically upright position include,

a spring mounted to each key,

a vertically movable control rod associated with each jack, thevertically lower end of each control rod being adapted to be engaged bya respective key spring whereby depressing the front end of theassociated pivotally positioned key effects vertical up ward movement ofthe rod, and

said first-named spring having its free lower end adapted to be engagedby the vertically upper end of the control rod as it is moved verticallyupwardly whereby as the key spring engages the control rod the tongue isbiased forwardly by said second spring into a substantially verticallyupright position.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the clearance betweenthe key spring and the lower end of the control rod is less than theclearance between the key and its associated jack whereby depressing thefront end of the key causes the control rod to be raised to move thetongue into a vertically upright position before the jack is raisedvertically to efiect a plucking action.

9. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said buifer means ismade from a suitable compressible material adapted to dampen theassociated string as it is brought into contact therewith, the materialmounted on the'plectrum and extending upwardly therefrom, but leaving apredetermined length of the plucking tip of the plectrum exposed wherebyas the bufier is moved into contact with the spring, the string and theplectrum are in ideal plucking relation.

10. In a musical instrument having a frame, a plurality of stringssecured to the frame, a plurality of pivotally positioned keys, and aplurality of plucking means individually operably associated with theindividual strings and controlled by the keys, each plucking meansincluding a vertically movable jack, the jacks being aligned anddefining a vertical plane, the improvement comprising a tongue memberpivotally mounted to the vertically upper end of each jack,

a plectrum mounted on said tongue member and adapted to pluck the stringassociated therewith as the jack is moved vertically upwardly by itscontrolling key, said tongue pivotally retracting to a slanted positionaway from the string after the plucking action, and

means operably associated with said tongue for urging said tongue backto a substantially vertically upright position after the jack dropsafter the plucking action, said means including a leaf spring mounted toeach key,

a vertically movable control rod associated with each jack, thevertically lower end of each control rod being adapted to be engaged bya respective key spring whereby depressing the front end of theassociated pivotally positioned key effects vertical upward movement ofthe rod, and

a second leaf spring having an end connected to the tongue and a freeend adapted to be engaged by the vertically upper end of the control rodas it is moved vertically upwardly whereby as the leaf spring engagesthe control rod the tongue is biased by said spring into a substantiallyvertically upright position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,293,974 12/1966 Schiitze 842583,339,442 9/1967 Kobet 84258 FOREIGN PATENTS 305,147 4/ 1955Switzerland. 1,108,348 8/ 1955 France.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner. J. F. GONZALES, AssistantExaminer.

